Log Cabin ABC's by Marti Michell features how to use her Log
Cabin Rulers from the My Favorite Rulers Series. PLUS includes
instructions for 14 log cabin quilt variations for wall to bed size quilts.
Book includes well illustrated tricks and tips for cutting and piecing.

About the Author & Ruler Designer

Marti is internationally recognized as an author, teacher, and
innovator of strip techniques and rotary cutting methods. She can
cut nearly any straight-sided geometric shape with a good acrylic
ruler and a rotary cutter. That did not prevent her from falling
in love with the concept of actual-size acrylic templates for rotary
cutting. From Marti
Michell Perfect Patchwork Templates were introduced in 1995.
In 2004, Marti was proud to be designated as the Silver Star Honoree
by Quilts, Inc. She was the eleventh recipient.

Richard and Marti Michell have two grown children. They are currently
being greeted by one guard cat when they arrive home in suburban
Atlanta, GA.

Concentric Courthouse Steps

Marti Michell's My Favorite Ruler Series
Log Cabin Rulers

If
you want ease, efficiency and accuracy when cutting Log Cabin strips,
look no further! If you have always cut Log Cabin strips to length
after sewing them, we hope you will look carefully at the advantages
of our new rulers. You may be as surprised as we were to discover
how much more quickly and accurately blocks can be sewn by first
cutting to the exact length.

Use Log Cabin Rulers to cut strips to exact lengths for blocks
like these, in sizes up to 14".

The Log Cabin Rulers are marked with both a letter and the actual
length in inches for each strip—just the lines you need, so
there’s no distraction, no confusion, no unnecessary information.
Finished strip widths are 2:1 on both rulers, so you can cut strips
from both sides to make Off-center Log Cabin blocks.

Each ruler comes with instructions for cutting strips the correct
width and chain piecing blocks. We think you'll be amazed at how
much easier it is to piece Log Cabin blocks from exact-size strips,
rather than sewing long strips and cutting off the excess (sometimes
crookedly).

Use Log Cabin Ruler 5/8-inch and 1-1/4-inch finished strip widths
to make Log Cabin blocks up to 13 3/4" square.

Use Log Cabin Ruler 3/4" and 1 1/2" finished
strip widths to make Log Cabin blocks up to 14" square.

Table of Contents

Loving Log Cabin Quilts

4

What is a Log Cabin block?

About the Log Cabin Blocks in This Book

Why Cut Strips On the Lengthwise Grain?

9

Cutting Strips on the Lengthwise Grain

Right-handed Lengthwise cutting

Left-handed Lengthwise Cutting

The ABCs of Cutting Strips to Exact Length

12

Right-handed Cutting by the ABCs

Left-handed Cutting by the ABCs

Why Cut Strips to Exact Length

14

The Old "New Way"

The Better Way

Making the Classic Log Cabin Quilt

15

Two Frequently Asked Questions

18

Can the Center Square Vary in Size?

What Width Are the Strips?

Basic Pairs Assembly of Blocks

19

Let's Make Quilts

20

A Log Cabin Snuggler

21

Inside/Out Log Cabin

25

Inside/Out Reversed

27

Quick and Easy - and Classic

28

Quick and Easy Bed Quilt Sizes

31

Fat Quarters Log Cabin

32

Same Song, Second Verse

38

What's Black and White and Red All
Over

39

For Nina's Comfort

43

Rachel's Basket

45

Introducing Courthouse Steps

49

Lodge Look Courthouse Steps

50

Magic Steps

54

Concentric Courthouse Steps

57

Introducing Curved Log Cabin Blocks

60

Round Pegs in Square Holes

62

Round Pegs in Square Holes Inside/Out

64

Cabin Waves III

65

Introducing Chevron Blocks

69

Little Woolie Chevron

70

Linked Chevrons

71

Bonus: Fusible Binding

80

Full Size Ruler Patterns

77, 79

Block Sizes for From Marti Michell
Log Cabin Rulers

78

Quilts Examples with Instruction found in the book

Rachel's Basket

Whats Black and White and Red All Over?

Cabin Waves II

Linked Chevrons & Barn Raising Layout

Round Pegs in Square Holes

How to Use the Log Cabin Rulers to Cut Strips

Note: Ruler Graphics & Rulers Instructions courtesy
of Marti Michell

Marti Michell Introduced at Quilt Festival
Our NEW Log Cabin Rulers - now
it's easier than ever to make PERFECT Log Cabin blocks! Just follow these
instructions, which come with the rulers. Illustrated with Ruler
#8038. The procedure is the same for Ruler #8037 &
8058.

How to Cut Strips to Width, Right-handedIllustrated with
Ruler #8037. The procedure is the same for Ruler
8038 & 8058

1. Select the desired block size and determine
which width strip (which side of the ruler) you must use.

2. These instructions result in cutting strips
on the lengthwise grain or parallel to the selvage. Assuming you
have more than 18" of fabric, open the fabric and fold it crosswise.
Place on your cutting mat so that the fold is closest to you and
the selvage is along the right edge. Line up a horizontal line on
a regular 6" x 24" ruler with the fold line and trim away the salvage.
Do not move the fabric.

3. The strip width is measured from the right.
Working with the chosen strip width, align the appropriate vertical
line on the Log Cabin Ruler with the newly cut straight edge of
fabric. Hold the Log Cabin Ruler in place and bring a regular ruler
into position along the left side of the Log Cabin Ruler. Illustrations
show 2 1/2" wide strips being cut with Ruler #8038. For 1 1/2" wide
strips, rotate the ruler to place the notation "1 1/2" Cut Strips"
in the same position.

Remove the Log Cabin
Ruler and cut along the edge of the standard ruler. You are not
using the standard ruler to measure; it is just a convenient cutting
edge.

4. Do not remove the standard ruler yet. Life
the strips to confirm that all the threads are cut.

5. Cut as many strips as needed.

6. Stack as many strips as you feel
comfortable cutting at one time. True up one end of the strips;
this is the end from which you will measure and cut the Log Cabin
pieces

.

How to Cut Strips to Width, Left-handedIllustrated with Ruler #8038. The procedure
is the same for Ruler #8037.
1. Select the desired block size and determine which width
strip (which side of the ruler) you must use.

2. These instructions result in cutting strips
on the lengthwise grain or parallel to the selvage. Assuming you
have more than 18" of fabric, open the fabric and fold it crosswise.
Place on your cutting mat so that the fold is closest to you and
the selvage is along the left edge. Line up a horizontal line on
a regular 6" x 24" ruler with the fold line and trim away the salvage.
Do not move the fabric.

3. The strip width is measured from the left.
Working with the chosen strip width, align the appropriate vertical
line on the Log Cabin Ruler with the newly cut straight edge of
fabric. Hold the Log Cabin Ruler in place and bring a regular ruler
into position along the right side of the Log Cabin Ruler. Illustrations
show 2 1/2" wide strips being cut with Ruler #8038. For 1 1/2" wide
strips, rotate the ruler to place the notation "1 1/2" Cut Strips"
in the same position.

Remove the Log Cabin Ruler and cut along the edge of
the standard ruler. You are not using the standard ruler to measure;
it is just a convenient cutting edge.

4. Do not remove the standard ruler yet. Life
the strips to confirm that all the threads are cut.

5. Cut as many strips as needed.

6. Stack as many strips as you feel
comfortable cutting at one time. True up one end of the strips;
this is the end from which you will measure and cut the Log Cabin
pieces

How to Use the Log Cabin Rulers
Cut Pieces to Exact Length

The Log Cabin Rulers are marked with both a letter and the
actual length in inches for each strip - just the lines you need, so there's
no distraction, no confusion, no unnecessary information.

Many sizes and styles of Log Cabin blocks can be made with
the rulers. These instructions are for cutting 2 1/2" wide strips to exact
length using Ruler #8038 to make a 12" finished Log Cabin block. They
are illustrated for right-handed cutters. Scroll down for left-handed
cutting notes. NOTE: Use the side of the ruler for 2 1/2" cut strip width.

1. With the Ruler extending to the left and the
strip length extending to the right, measure and cut the number of
squares (A) that you need (one square A is the center square).

2. Reposition the ruler and cut the first rectangles
(B).

3. Reposition the ruler on the strip and cut the
net rectangles (C).

4. Continue to reposition the ruler on the strip
and cut longer strips as needed.

Left-handed Cutting
The procedure is the same. Reverse positioning so strip extends left
and ruler extends right, as shown, for each step. NOTE: Use the side
of the ruler for 2 1/2" cut strip width.

PART 1 OF 4: Marti Michell Introduces the Log Cabin
Rulers
Good for Right & Left Handers

PART 2 OF 4: Marti Michell Demonstrates Cutting Log Cabin Strips, Cutting
4 or More Layers
Good for Right & Left Handers

Good for Right & Left Handers
PART 3 OF 4: Marti Michell Demos Trueing Up Fabric Edges to Prepare for
Cutting Log Cabin Strips
Using the My Favorite Rulers & Log Cabin Ruler Together to cut fabric
strips
in Preparation to cut the Varying Sized Strips needed for Log Cabin Block